Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A system of analyzing and quantifying a user's posture and gait, said system including two electronic boxes configured to be integrated into a pair of soles, a first box being configured to be integrated into a first sole and a second box being configured to be integrated into a second sole, each said box comprising: an inertial platform configured to generate a set of data on the posture, activity or gait of a user of the pair of soles; a data processing module configured to pre-process the collected data set according to predefined algorithms and generate information on the posture, activity or gait of a user of the pair of soles; a data storage module configured to store the information generated by the processing module; a means of communication configured so that the electronic box of at least one of the soles is configured to transmit the information generated on the user to an external terminal and/or to the other box of the other sole; and a power source; wherein the boxes are configured such that the raw data generated by the inertial platform of the first box undergoes a first processing step by the data processing module of the first box, and then the processed data is transferred to the second box where it is further processed by the data processing module of the second box.
The system analyzes and quantifies a user's posture and gait using two electronic modules integrated into the soles of a pair of shoes. Each module contains an inertial platform to capture data on posture, activity, and gait, a data processing module to pre-process this data using predefined algorithms, a storage module to retain the processed information, a communication interface to transmit data to an external terminal or the other module, and a power source. The modules are designed to collaborate: raw data from the first module undergoes initial processing, then is transmitted to the second module for further analysis. This distributed processing approach ensures comprehensive data evaluation while maintaining low power consumption and efficient communication between the modules. The system provides real-time or stored insights into the user's biomechanics, aiding in health monitoring, rehabilitation, or performance optimization. The modular design allows for scalability and adaptability to different footwear types.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the data processing modules contained in the first and second boxes are configured to implement a step of preprocessing of the raw data, comprising a comparison of the raw data with predetermined patterns and a generation of values of similarities of the raw data with the predetermined patterns; and wherein the second box is configured to select a movement category representative of the raw data from the similarity values of the first case and those of the second case.
3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the boxes are configured so that the raw data generated by the inertial platform of the first box is transferred to the second box where it is processed by the data processing module of the second box.
4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the data processing modules contained in the first and second boxes are configured to compare raw data generated by the inertial platform of the respective box with predetermined patterns and to generate similarity values of the raw data with the predetermined patterns, said predetermined patterns corresponding to a predetermined movement category, one of the processing modules being further configured to select a movement category representative of the raw data generated over a period of time from the similarity values of the first box and those of the second box.
5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the inertial platform includes at least one accelerometer and at least one gyroscope, and to which can be added further sensors.
6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the boxes is connected to an electronic board and one or more of the following: a GPS, physiological sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors or any air-conditioning system placed in the sole.
7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the boxes is configured to communicate with the other box and/or directly with the external terminal.
8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each electronic box includes at least one support pad.
9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each electronic box weighs less than 20 grams.
10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each electronic box has a thickness less than or equal to 7 mm.
11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each electronic box has a surface area on its largest side less than or equal to 10 cm 2 .
12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein each electronic box includes an outer casing, said outer casing being essentially made of a thermoplastic material enabling it to withstand high mechanical stresses, corresponding to at least 100,000 impacts of 1000 N at a frequency of 1 Hz or 100,000 impacts of 3000 N at a frequency of 2.6 Hz, said boxes being furthermore resistant to dust and humidity at a level of at least IP56.
The invention relates to a system of electronic boxes designed for rugged environments, addressing the need for durable, impact-resistant, and environmentally sealed enclosures for electronic components. Each electronic box features an outer casing primarily constructed from a thermoplastic material, engineered to endure extreme mechanical stresses. Specifically, the casing can withstand at least 100,000 impacts of 1000 N at a frequency of 1 Hz or 100,000 impacts of 3000 N at a frequency of 2.6 Hz, ensuring reliability in high-stress applications. Additionally, the boxes are designed to resist dust and humidity, meeting at least IP56 ingress protection standards, which safeguards internal electronics from environmental contaminants. The thermoplastic material provides both structural integrity and resistance to wear, making the boxes suitable for industrial, military, or outdoor deployments where durability and environmental resilience are critical. The system ensures long-term operational stability for electronic devices in harsh conditions.
13. The system according to claim 1 , for associating one or more Android, IOS or other applications with secure data sharing with the user via the external terminal.
14. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the power source of the electronic box can be a rechargeable battery, which can be recharged using different technologies: by a charger, with a connector flush with the sole; with a mechanical recharging device integrated into the sole, such as a piezoelectric device capable of supplying electrical energy from walking; with a non-contact device, for example by induction; or with a photovoltaic device.
15. A method of quantifying a user's posture and gait implemented within a system including a first box being integrated into a first sole and a second box being integrated into a second sole of a same pair of soles, each box comprising: an inertial platform, a data processing module, a data storage module configured to store information generated by the processing module, a means of communication and a power source, said method comprising: A step of generating raw data, by inertial platforms contained in the first and second boxes, said raw data being generated for a period of time and being a function of a user's gait, A step of pre-processing the raw data, by the data processing modules contained in the first and second boxes, comprising comparing the raw data with predetermined patterns and generating similarity values of the raw data with the predetermined patterns, said predetermined patterns corresponding to a predetermined category of movement, A step of communicating between the first and second box, comprising transmitting, by a communication module, similarity values from the second box to the first box, and A step of selecting, by the first box, a movement category representative of the raw data generated over the period of time, from the similarity values of the first box and those of the second box.
This invention relates to a system for quantifying a user's posture and gait using inertial sensors embedded in footwear. The system addresses the challenge of accurately analyzing movement patterns by leveraging data from both feet to improve detection and classification of gait and posture. The system includes two boxes, each integrated into a sole of a pair of shoes. Each box contains an inertial platform to measure movement, a data processing module, a data storage module, a communication module, and a power source. The inertial platforms generate raw data over a period of time, capturing the user's gait and posture. The processing modules pre-process this raw data by comparing it to predetermined movement patterns, such as walking, running, or standing, and generate similarity values indicating how closely the raw data matches these patterns. The boxes communicate with each other, transmitting similarity values from the second box to the first. The first box then selects a movement category that best represents the raw data collected over the period, using the similarity values from both boxes. This collaborative approach enhances accuracy by integrating data from both feet, providing a more comprehensive analysis of the user's movement. The system enables real-time or post-processing evaluation of gait and posture, which can be used for medical, fitness, or performance monitoring applications.
16. The method of quantifying a user's posture and gait according to the claim 15 , further comprising a step of incrementing a counter associated with the selected category of movement and storing a new value of said counter.
17. The method of quantifying a user's posture and gait according to claim 15 , wherein the pre-processing step includes a sub-step of calculating preliminary values of gait parameters by the first and second boxes.
18. The method of quantifying a user's posture and gait according to claim 17 , further comprising a step of processing the preliminary values of gait parameters of the second box and of the first box so as to select preliminary values of gait parameters to be retained.
19. The method of quantifying a user's posture and gait according to claim 15 , further comprising a prior learning step comprising defining a plurality of predetermined patterns of a user's gait.
20. The system according to claim 5 , the further sensors comprising a magnetometer, a barometer, and/or an altimeter.
21. The system according to claim 7 , wherein each of the boxes is configured to communicate with the other box and/or directly with the external terminal through short wave or high frequency signals of the Bluetooth or ANT+ type.
22. The system according to claim 8 , wherein each electronic box includes at least two support pads.
The system relates to electronic enclosures designed for mounting and securing electronic components in harsh environments, such as aerospace or industrial applications. The primary challenge addressed is ensuring stable and reliable mounting of electronic boxes while minimizing vibration, shock, and thermal stress. Traditional mounting systems often fail to provide adequate support, leading to component failure or misalignment. The system includes multiple electronic boxes, each containing electronic components housed within a protective enclosure. Each box is equipped with at least two support pads, which are strategically positioned to distribute mechanical loads and reduce stress concentrations. These support pads are designed to interface with a mounting structure, such as a chassis or frame, ensuring proper alignment and stability. The pads may incorporate damping materials or flexible elements to absorb vibrations and shocks, enhancing durability. Additionally, the system may include thermal management features, such as heat sinks or cooling channels, to maintain optimal operating temperatures. The support pads may also be adjustable or interchangeable to accommodate different mounting configurations or environmental conditions. This design improves reliability and extends the lifespan of electronic systems in demanding applications.
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April 6, 2021
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